Nebraska Oversize Permit, Wide and Heavy Haul Information

Summary:

• Nebraska oversized load permits require specific signage, lighting, and escort vehicles based on load dimensions, with movement restricted to daytime hours unless the vehicle is only overweight.
• Travel restrictions apply during peak hours in Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas, during major holidays, and during inclement weather conditions including poor visibility or hazardous road conditions.
• All over dimensional vehicle permits are valid for up to 10 moving days and must be obtained through the Department’s automated permit system before entering Nebraska, either online or through Department offices.

Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions

Oversized vehicles are permitted to operate one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour following sunset, including Saturday and Sunday. If the vehicle is only overweight, continuous travel is allowed.

Peak Travel Time Restrictions

In Lincoln and Omaha areas, over dimensional vehicle travel is not allowed Monday through Friday from:

• 7:00 am to 9:00 am
• 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

On Saturdays, where there is a home football game for the Cornhuskers, I-80 in the Lincoln area prohibits transit between exits 395 and 409. In addition, the state highway system is closed to oversize travel to allow travel from the Iowa line to Nebraska 14 and from the Kansas line to Nebraska 91.

The permit office in Nebraska is closed on state holidays, which includes Arbor Day. Travel on major holidays and holiday weekends in 2025 is restricted as follows

• New Year’s – from noon December 31 until sunrise January 2
• Memorial Day Weekend – from noon on Friday, May 23 until sunrise on Tuesday, May 27
• Independence Day Weekend – from noon on Thursday, July 3 until sunrise on Monday, July 7
• Labor Day Weekend – from noon on Friday, August 29 until sunrise on Tuesday, September 2
• Thanksgiving Weekend – from noon on Wednesday, November 26 until sunrise on Monday, December 1
• Christmas – from noon on December 24 until sunrise December 26

Weather and Travel Restrictions

Travel is prohibited during inclement weather conditions including:

• When winds cause a hazard to movement
• Visibility less than one-half mile
• Rain, sleet or snow
• Slippery road conditions due to ice, snow, packed snow, slush or frost
• When debris from accidents, natural disasters, or emergencies is on the highway

Signs, Flags, Lights, and Escort Vehicle Requirements

To promote the safety of other drivers on the road, lights, signs, and flags may be required on oversize loads.

Signs

“Oversize Load” signs are required for loads more than 10 feet in width (not just exceeding 10 feet). The signs must be displayed on the front of the hauling vehicle and the rear of the load. Signs must be no less than 7 feet long and 18 inches high, constructed of yellow material with black letters at least 10 inches high.

Flags

A minimum size of 18-inch square flags are required on all four corners of loads that exceed a width of 12 feet.

Lights

All over dimensional vehicles being moved must be equipped with red lights on the rear, green or amber reflectors or lights on the front, and electric turn signals and clearance lights as required by Nebraska Statutes.

Escort Vehicles

Escort vehicles may be required for over dimensional loads when they exceed:

• 8 feet, 6 inches in width
• 90 feet in length
• 14 feet, 6 inches in height

One escort vehicle is required for:

• Vehicles/loads 12 to 16 feet in width
• Vehicles/loads 125 to 150 feet in overall length

Two escort vehicles (one front and one rear) are required for:

• Vehicles/loads greater than 16 feet in width
• Vehicles/loads greater than 150 feet in overall length

For undivided highways, the escort vehicle must travel in front of the over dimensional vehicle/load. For divided highways, the escort vehicle must travel behind the over dimensional vehicle/load. Escort vehicles must stay within 300 feet of the permitted vehicle.

All escort vehicles must:

• Be at least 60 inches wide
• Have clearly visible yellow or amber flashing/rotating/strobe lights mounted at least 53 inches above the roadway
• Display “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs (at least 5 feet long by 12 inches high with 8-inch letters)
• Have red flags on all four corners
• Maintain radio communication with the operator of the permitted vehicle when required

Some vehicles may be exempt from rear escort requirements on certain highways if they have proper rear-facing warning lights visible from 800 feet away.

Obtaining a Permit

In Nebraska, oversize permits are valid for a period not to exceed ten moving days, and you must obtain the permit prior to entering the state. Permits require using the Department’s automated permit system. You can obtain permits:

• On the Department’s official website (http://dot.nebraska.gov)
• At the Department’s Permit Office in Lincoln
• At one of the Department’s District offices

Partnering with a Logistics Company

Transporting oversize and overweight loads through Nebraska requires strict adherence to state regulations and permit requirements. By understanding the operating hours, restricted travel times, signage, and permit application process, you can ensure safe and legal transport. If you are interested in streamlining the oversize permit process in Nebraska, consider partnering with a modular logistics company like Stream. Contact our experts to ensure a seamless wide and heavy haul experience for your project. 

Read more:

• Over-Dimensional and Heavy Haul Permitting 101
• What You Need to Know About State Oversize Permits for Over-Dimensional, Wide, and Heavy Haul Trucking
• State Oversize Permit & Wide Load Regulations: Simplified

Stream Logistics is a transportation logistics company specializing exclusively in High Stakes Freight® , or freight where there is significant risk in moving your product. We help you transport freight when there are projects with timelines and delivery sequences, shipments with high complexity, and shipments with unique constraints.